Special Projects
Aside from my portfolio, I have worked on various projects, throughout my undergraduate career.
Hybrid Thermal Lance Project
During my sophomore year as an undergrad, I had the opportunity to work with the Engineering Department. For this project, I was tasked to create a funnel shape out of clay to protect and redirect the fuel used to disarm old landmines safely. This project helped me grow in my skills of working with a different department and working with clay as a technical medium.
Here you can see the light bisque-ware ceramic funnel attached to the clear tube used as fuel. A flame is ignited behind the fuel and goes through the funnel. The flame is then redirected through the ceramic funnel and propelled onto the sheet metal. This was one of many test pieces.
Using wild clay
My most recent project includes using wild clay as my primary medium. This project sparked an interest in me that continues to grow. For this project, I was directed by my professor to create a site-specific piece inspired by the surroundings, and I chose my school's local river. I had gone out months before the project to collect local clay as I was interested in studying it on my own time. I gathered the clay without knowing I would be using the material in a future project. I learned the river's natural undulation to create a series that fit well in its environment. I also left the clay in its porous bisque state to work with flora and fauna by growing algae and slowly decomposing to not pollute the river. I hope to continue this concept in every region I visit as I am interested in studying the land's unique clay body.
